Attractions Nearby Raleigh, Day Trips and Excursions

(Raleigh, North Carolina - NC, USA)



Surrounded by South Carolina (south), Tennessee (west) and Virginia (north), the state of North Carolina is filled with attractions that are within easy reach of Raleigh, often being ideal for easy day trips. With strong connections to Raleigh, both Chapel Hill and Durham are particularly close and come with their highly regarded universities and attractions.

The Piedmont Triad and the town of Pittsboro are also near to Raleigh, as are the recreational attractions at the William B. Umstead State Park. If you are prepared to travel a little further, then consider an excursion to the family friendly city of Charlotte.


Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is an appealing university town and lies around 32 miles / 51 km from Raleigh, where it is an especially affluent corner of the Triangle. Home to the University of North Carolina (UNC-CH), which was established as far back as 1789, Chapel Hill also contains a number of further attractions, such as the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, the NC Botanical Garden, the Ackland Art Museum, the Chapel Hill Museum and the Finley Golf Course. Downtown Chapel Hill stands just a couple of miles to the northwest of the US-15/501 Highway and is centered around Franklin Street, where an extensive selection of bars and restaurants await.

Charlotte

Located some 166 miles / 267 km to the southwest of Raleigh and best reached by using the I-85 interstate, Charlotte stands at the historical junction of two former Indian trails. Apart from the Bank of America Stadium and the Paramount's Carowinds amusement park, Charlotte's main attractions are its museums, with the most notable of these including the Discovery Place, the Charlotte Museum of History, the Mint Museum of Craft and Design, the Afro-American Cultural Center and the North Carolina Transportation Museum.

Durham

The fortunes of nearby Durham are strongly connected with its rich tobacco heritage, with a number of historic warehouses having been recently renovated and now home to a mixture of attractions, shops, bars and cafes, particularly around the Brightleaf Square area. Durham lies approximately 28 miles / 45 km to the northwest of Raleigh, on the northeasterly corner of the Triangle, and has an undeniable youthful vibe, with a sizable student population being based at the city's acclaimed Duke University.

Piedmont Triad

The Piedmont Triad is sometimes referred to as the North Carolina Triad and this region comprises the cities of Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. It is Greensboro and Winston-Salem where the main attractions reside, such as the Wet N' Wild Emerald Pointe Theme Park, the Children's Museum and the Blandwood Mansion in Greensboro, and the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), and both the Delta Arts Center and the Historic Bethabara Park in Winston-Salem. Of particular interest, it was Greensboro where North America's very first Civil rights sit-in took place in 1960.

Pittsboro / Fearrington Plantation

The Fearrington Plantation is to be found within the neighboring town of Pittsboro, which is situated roughly 33 miles / 53 km to the west of Raleigh. This is the perfect excursion for those looking for the countryside, with the Fearrington Plantation offering outstanding views from almost every angle, together with a selection of village shops and an upscale luxury hotel.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

William B. Umstead State Park

Address: 8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina NC, 27617, USA
Tel: +1 919 5714170
Email: william.umstead@ncdenr.gov
Comfortably nestled between the cities of Cary, Durham and Raleigh, the William B. Umstead State Park covers almost 5,500 acres / 2,225 hectares and is easily reached by bus, car or even bicycle, being close to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) facility. The park comprises three expansive lakes, along with a selection of hiking trails, picnic spots and camping sites. Nearby, the Eno River State Park, the Falls Lake State Recreation Area and the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area are all just a relatively short distance from the Umstead State Park.
Open hours: November to February, daily - 8:00 to 18:00; March to April, September and October, daily - 8:00 to 20:00; May to August, daily - 08:00 to 21:00; visitor center: March to October, daily - 09:00 to 18:00; November to February, daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free